Doug Newcomb2018 BMW 530e xDrive iPerformanceIf you're looking for a plug-in hybrid midsize luxury sedan, the 2018 BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance can run on electric power for up to 15 miles without a discernible difference in performance.

If you're looking for a plug-in hybrid midsize luxury sedan, the 2018 BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance can run on electric power for up to 15 miles without a discernible difference in performance.

Hybrid cars typically command a premium compared with their gasoline-only siblings. The 2018 BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance plug-in hybrid sedan, however, has the same MSRP as the comparable gas-powered 530i. The 530e sweetens the deal with a $4,700 federal tax credit, gets better gas mileage than the 530i, and can run on electric power for up to 15 miles—without a discernible difference in performance. It also delivers the comforts, conveniences, and tech of a 5 Series, although cloud connectivity requires a subscription and much of it is through the somewhat kludgy iDrive interface. Still, it's the only plug-in electric hybrid vehicle (PHEV) available as a luxury sedan, unless you consider the larger Cadillac CT6.

Pricing and Design

The 2018 BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance comes in either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. RWD starts at $52,400, while the AWD xDrive model we tested has a base price of $53,700. It comes with a 2.0-liter twin-turbo 180-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine that's augmented by a 111-horsepower electric motor mounted between the engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission. This matches the 248 horsepower of the gas-only 530i, but generates more torque: 310 pound-feet versus 258 pound-feet.

The 530e's 9.2kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack can be charged to full capacity in under seven hours from a 120-volt outlet using a supplied cable. If you install a 240-volt charger, that time is reduced to under three hours.

Tech features include an 8.8-inch LCD instrument cluster, Bluetooth for phone and music streaming, an iDrive touchpad infotainment controller, a 10.2-inch touch screen, BMW ConnectedDrive Services, voice command, an AM/FM/CD 12-speaker/205-watt audio system, and a navigation system with 3D maps, a 200GB hard drive (with 20GB for audio files), and over-the-air map updates up to four times a year.

Our test car had several options packages. The $800 Cold Weather Package adds a heated steering wheel and front and rear heated seats, while the $1,050 Lighting Package includes adaptive LED headlights and automatic high beams. It also had the Driving Assistance and the Driving Assistance Plus packages, both priced at $1,700. The first adds a heads-up display, active blind spot detection, and lane departure warning; the second adds Active Driving Assistant Plus, which helps keep the car centered within its lane at speeds up to 130mph. A $1,300 Parking Assistance Package includes automated parking, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera, while a $2,700 Premium Package adds a powered trunk, keyless entry, one year of SiriusXM radio, wireless phone charging, in-car Wi-Fi, and Mobile Office features.

The 530e has subtle styling elements that set it apart from a regular 5 Series, including blue grille slats and wheel hub covers, special badging, and a charging port located just in front of the driver door. The cabin is identical to other 5 Series vehicles except for dashboard displays for hybrid functions, and because the 530e's high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack is tucked underneath the rear seat full use of the trunk is retained.

Infotainment Interface and Connectivity

iDrive has set a standard for center console controllers among luxury brands, but its downsides have caused many automakers—including BMW—to move to touch screens. Originally launched in the 7 Series, the version of iDrive in the 2018 530e includes handwriting recognition and a 10.2-inch touch screen with gesture control. The handwriting recognition is more of a novelty than a practical feature, but we found that the gesture controls work well for functions such as changing volume or accepting or rejecting incoming phone calls.

Like its German competitors, BMW relies on embedded connectivity for cloud-based features such as streaming music and connected search and content, although a subscription to BMW Connected Services is complimentary for the first four years of ownership and includes telematics services. If you want to use your smartphone for cloud connectivity, it needs to be an iPhone since the 503e only supports Apple CarPlay, not Android Auto. It's also the only car we know of in which CarPlay is an extra-cost option. Aspects of the car can be controlled via the BMW Remote app, and you can monitor charging status and set a departure time so that the interior is heated or cooled using power from the electrical grid rather than the car's battery.

We found that the Active Driving Assistant Plus system works well for semi-autonomous driving, and we like that the 530e has a button that allows you to deactivate all the driver assists at once instead of one at a time, as with many driver assist vehicles. One of the most impressive aspects of the 530e is its surround-view camera, which shows remote views from the front of the vehicle to help you gauge, say, how close they are to a curb. We just wish that the heads-up display also had physical controls instead of being buried in the iDrive menu.

Performance and Conclusions

Total horsepower for the 530e is identical to the nonhybrid version of the vehicle, although torque is increased by 52 pound-foot to help offset the hybrid's extra 500 pounds. The 184 pound-feet of instant electric-only torque also helps compensate for this added weight, and the electric motor smoothly blends with the turbocharged engine to provide plenty of pickup. This seamless feel is enhanced by the electric motor feeding torque to a traditional automatic transmission instead of the continuously variable transmission that's used in many hybrids.

Like its gas-powered sibling, the 530e has Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro driving modes, but adds three settings for managing electric power: Max eDrive to operate in pure electric mode, Auto eDrive that switches to electric-only operation for brief periods to enhance fuel efficiency, and Battery Control that allows you to set a charge level so that the energy can be saved for electric-only driving.

The up-to-15-miles of EPA-estimated electric-only driving range may be low by plug-in standards, and is more than doubled by the plug-in Cadillac CT6, but it's 15 miles of electric-only driving you can't get from a standard 530i—at the same cost.

So if you're looking for a BMW with all the performance, convenience, and style the 5 Series is known for, but with the best possible fuel economy and the least possible environmental impact, the 2018 BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance is easy to recommend. If you're willing to go larger, take a look at the Cadillac CT6.

2018 BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance

Bottom Line: If you're looking for a plug-in hybrid midsize luxury sedan, the 2018 BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance can run on electric power for up to 15 miles without a discernible difference in performance.

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About the Author

Doug Newcomb is a recognized expert on the subject of car technology within the auto industry and among the automotive and general media, and a frequent speaker at automotive and consumer electronics industry events. Doug began his career in 1988 at the car stereo trade publication Mobile Electronics, before serving as editor of the leading consume... See Full Bio

2018 BMW 530e xDrive iPerforman...

2018 BMW 530e xDrive iPerformance

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